SAIP2016
Contribution ID:315 Type:Oral Presentation
Galaxy stacking strategies for MeerKAT
Friday, 8 July 2016 14:00 (20 minutes)
Abstract content <br> (Max 300 words)<br><a href=”http://events.saip.org.za/getFile.py/access?resId=0&materialId=0&confId=34”
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The LADUMA survey, to be carried out on MeerKAT, aims to indirectly detect neutral hydrogen line emission (HI) from galaxies at redshifts from 0.5 to unity, and beyond. To do this, galaxy HI spectra will need to be co- added in order to generate high S/N stacked spectra representative of the total HI content of distant samples.
The stacking method is intrinsically susceptible to source confusion: a spectrum extracted for a particular galaxy will be contaminated by emission from other nearby galaxies. As such, stacked HI spectra usually over-estimate the total HI content of a sample. Traditionally, properly correcting for this has been difficult.
We have developed the theoretical and computational machinery to produce synthetic, yet very realistic, HI line data cubes. We have started using them to quantify the confusion rates in generic HI stacking experiments.
I will present some details of these simulations, and show how they are being used to optimise LADUMA observing and data analysis strategies.
Apply to be<br> considered for a student <br> award (Yes / No)?
No
Level for award<br> (Hons, MSc, <br> PhD, N/A)?
N/A
Would you like to <br> submit a short paper <br> for the Conference <br> Pro- ceedings (Yes / No)?
Yes
Please indicate whether<br>this abstract may be<br>published online<br>(Yes / No)
Yes
Primary author: Dr ELSON, Ed (University of Cape Town + South African Astronomical Observatory) Presenter: Dr ELSON, Ed (University of Cape Town + South African Astronomical Observatory) Session Classification: Astrophysics (1)
Track Classification: Track D1 - Astrophysics
